Renewable Energy AssociationSolar Trade AssociationAct on Co2
Solar Panel News

Businesses Warn European Commission Over Chinese Solar Trade War

We have previously commented on the trade war between the European Union and China and believe it is important that you are kept up to date with any relevant developments. Therefore, you will be interested to hear that a letter signed by in excess of 1,000 firms has been sent to the European Commission about this very matter.

European Commission Panel, Brussels, Nov-2012
(image credit: maltman23)

The letter, from the Alliance for Affordable Solar Energy (AFASE) warns the European Commission that the imposing of import duties on Chinese manufacturers of solar panels could have a less than satisfactory effect on the solar panel industry. The AFASE is made up of 350 companies who are against import tariffs being imposed. However, in total, there are 1,024 companies that have signed the letter.

Not many months ago, the European Commission started an investigation into the possible anti-subsidy and anti-dumping supposedly being carried out by the manufacturers of solar panels from China. This was as a result of a number of solar panel manufacturers in Europe complained that their opposite numbers in China were receiving subsidies that gave them an unfair advantage.

If this investigation was held in favour of European solar panel manufacturers it could mean that Europe would be following the line taken by the United States of America who imposed import tariffs on Chinese solar panels. Only last month, the European Commission asked customs officials to maintain records of the volume of solar panels that were being imported into Europe with the possible intention that they could impose retrospective levies.

However, there is concern amongst both customers and installers of solar panels that if such action were taken it could lead to an increase in the cost of solar panels that, in turn, may result in a drop in sales and job losses in the solar panel industry.

The letter claims that it is not so much the situation with China that has caused the issues but it is more due to over capacity within the international solar panel marketplace.

We will provide an update when a response is forthcoming from the European Commission.

This entry was posted in Renewable Energy and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.

Navigation